Transfer Rumors: Two Barcelona Players Could Be Released To Keep Superstar

KEY POINTS

Pjanic and Umtiti could be offloaded for a new Messi contract
Both players struggled for Barca
The club's financial struggles are still very much alive

The effects of the pandemic are being felt by even the biggest clubs in soccer.

As Barcelona continues to feel the burden of their massive wages, the club may have no choice left but to release two players that they acquired for quite the sum.

According to Goal, Miralem Pjanic and Samuel Umtiti could see the end of their tenure in Camp Nou this summer transfer window.

The 31-year-old Pjanic went to the La Liga giants after last year’s summer transfer window for a price of €60 million ($67 million) but stunningly started in only six of 13 league games last season.

Miralem Pjanic of FC Barcelona looks on during the Supercopa de Espana Final match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club at Estadio de La Cartuja on January 17, 2021 in Seville, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. Getty Images/Quality Sport Images

Meanwhile, Umtiti has not found much stability in Barcelona as he had trouble finding his groove with the starting XI or even from the bench since arriving from Lyon in 2016.

For Barcelona, this might serve as a problem as both players are very much still under contract.

Umtiti still has two years left on his deal, while Pjanic is slated to appear for three more years.

Samuel Umtiti of FC Barcelona Getty Images | Alejandro Rios/DeFodi Images

Barcelona's management is expected to have sit-down discussions with both players in the hopes of meeting in the middle for a compensation package.

Should both sides not come to an agreement, Barcelona will pay their salaries in full until their contracts run out.

So why would these two be released?

There’s still the problem of signing Lionel Messi to a contract as the Argentinian superstar’s contract ran out at the end of June.

To help balance their wages, the Catalan team has already seen and helped orchestrate the departures of youngsters such as Jean-Clair Todibo and Juan Miranda.

Barcelona also made a surprising move during this window as they have allowed Francisco Trincao to join the Wolverhampton Wanderers on a season-long loan spell with an option to buy.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi scored a penalty and hit the woodwork with a freekick but was denied three times by fine saves from Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo POOL / Juan Mabromata

Trincao’s loan could be a cause for concern for the Barcelona faithful as the Portuguese national team player has shown glimpses of greatness that will make him a key player for the Blaugranas if Wolverhampton doesn’t opt to keep him moving forward.

Head coach Ronald Koeman and the club's management committee have made all of these moves in the hopes of keeping Messi around, hopefully until he calls it a career.

Lionel Messi